Vaccinations

[Heatherm4]

I'm completely on the fence about whether to vaccinate our child or not. I work with a boy with Autism and do not really believe that vaccinations are the cause of Autism but it has educated me more on vaccinations and what they consist of and it just doesn't really seem right to me. I know the majority of people do vaccinate their children and don't get me wrong....I think it's a parent's choice and either choice does not make them a bad parent by any means. I'm aware of the benefits and risks. I also live in Ontario, which your child cannot attend school or daycare unless immunized unless you have an exemption letter (which I'm sure you go through a great deal to get). I am vaccinated and everyone I know is but it's the latest vaccinations that children are receiving that worry me.
I don't know....does anyone else feel like this? I would have never even had a second doubt if I didn't work with this little boy.

[cocacolapanda]

alaysha - you are so right about the breastfeeding, if I was able to breastfeed as long as I wanted to (Had to stop at 4-6 months) then I wouldn't have gotten the flu shot for our son at all.  And I totally second the dirt!  Our son ate his first bug at 4 or 5 months and I know he eats a lot of dirt over the day.  He's a very healthy kid!

[alaysha]

Oh yeah I never had Aspen get the flu shot. I'm of the mentality that its good for them to build up antibodies on their own. Plus if you are planning to breastfeed your baby will be getting all your "immunities" during that time. If that makes sense since I'm unsure how to word it. I was even told at like 1 or 2 when your child starts eating dirt not to take them away from it too quickly since its good for them to get all those germs. Your body cant really make antibodies for something its isn't used to fighting off.

[cocacolapanda]

We've been getting our son the required shots.  He got the regular flu shot (Not H1N1), but now that he's 2 he's not going to get the flu shot this year.  We didn't have him in day care so we rejected one or two shots.  I think what you should do is get the list of shots (and when they get them) then do some research on if your child gets what ever they are what would happen to them.  I know we have shots for things that we don't see very often (or even in the US) but outbreaks can happen.  The shots we rejected didn't make the child TOO sick, and our dr even suggested that if he's in daycare it might be worth while but if not there isn't a need.

It's actually good for your child to get the flu and get sick, it helps build up there immunity.  When they are a year or younger we figure they still have a hard time fighting things off, that by 2 or so we are just fine if he (and us) get the flu.

[Heatherm4]

Thanks girls! Tasha...I think if I were to do it, I would do it like you said and not get them done all at once. I don't see how mixing all that seems like a good idea. And I don't believe the flu ones are good either, building your immune system is best. If I were to do it, then it would be against the major diseases. I think the whole swine flu thing was crazy and they were just instilling fear into everyone in order to get the vaccine.

[Tasha505]

p.s. when it came to the swine flu vaccination I was SOOOOOO confused, I simply did not know what to do. My husband did research for days (literally... days) and was just convinced that we shouldn't do it. He begged me not to get vaccinated as I was pregnant at the time, and also begged me not to vaccinate my daughter. We got in a few fights because of this issue... being a parent is FULL of difficult decisions, and this is just the beginning!!

[Tasha505]

I think Alaysha is right... also they said that as long as your child isn't sick when they get vaccinated it's safe. I chose not to do all the vaccines at once like they tend to want to do at certain ages. At 1 year they want to give 5 in one visit... no way!! I got her 2 and then went back a month later and got the other 3.
I chose not to get any of the ear infection vaccines, and my daughter has never gotten a flu shot because i believe that they need to build up their immune systems naturally.

i know a guy who never got vaccinated, and he's fine. For me, I'd rather get my child vaccinated against the more serious diseases. It's your choice... I'm sure you'll figure it out once your baby is here!! Just remember if they're sick not to do it... always better safe than sorry.  

[nickieb85]

I definitely plan on getting Marley vaccinated. In the US also most states require you to have proof of vaccination especially for daycare and preschool but also to start Kindergarten. Both my boys were vaccinated and Richie (Spencer was a little sickly with ear infections and such but nothing major) has had all of his vacs on time and he has never been sick a day in his life and even if he has a little cold he acts like nothing is wrong. Don't get me wrong, I have read all of the "bad" issues with vaccinations (stem cells and such) but I don't believe all of the hype either.

[alaysha]

If I'm correct I believe they disproved all the hype over vaccines causing autism. I had Aspen vaccinated and I plan on getting Navy vaccinated as well. I was vaccinated as was everyone I know so I don't believe there is any problem with it. But I do agree its a personal decision and something you have to decide for yourself. :)